Kristi Eaton | The Washington Times

DIRK LAMMERS

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Kiss frontman Gene Simmons made a surprise appearance at a Sioux Falls benefit concert Saturday, at which he spoke of music’s power to positively shape children’s lives.

Mr. Simmons’ appearance came on the final day of a week of concerts to benefit the music academy for Sioux Falls Boys & Girls Clubs members.

“This is about kids. We’ve had our chance. We’ve got to give them a chance. Anything that gets them off the street is a good thing,” Mr. Simmons said.

Music, Mr. Simmons said, is self-empowering.

“It doesn’t matter if you become a star. If you don’t believe in yourself and get up onstage, everybody is watching. You can feel the power … and it helps you get through life, especially when you’re impressionable.”

He said getting involved in music — whether it’s learning to play an instrument or sing karaoke — improves social skills, too.

Motley Crue singer Vince Neil was also at Saturday’s show, and he, too, expounded on the positive benefits of music.

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KISSasylum.com

Whitney Matheson | USA Today

I’ve been a Hello Kitty fan ever since I was a wee Whit, and I still am to this day. (In fact, last week I mentioned a new HK children’s book I got for my daughter!)

Today I’m psyched to tell you that the adorable feline is poised to star in an animated series for The Hub. The unexpected twist is that it’ll be a mashup … with Kiss.

Yes, I’m serious: Kiss Hello Kitty (working title) is now in development, and it’s based on this line of Kiss x Hello Kitty products, which made its debut in 2010. The show will feature “four Kiss x Hello Kitty characters living their rock ‘n’ roll dreams and bringing pink anarchy to every situation they are in.”

Kiss’ Gene Simmons is slated to be one of the executive producers, and the band sounds pretty pumped about the project. Says Paul Stanley: “Knowing and viewing The Hub as I do daily with my three children, it is the perfect home for us to bring theKiss Hello Kitty juggernaut to yet another generation.”

You heard it here first, folks. I’ll keep you posted on when the series will make its debut.

From: Neil Gido

From the mid 1980s before joining KISS, drummer Eric Singer appeared with Brenda Holiday in this Girls Of Rock & Roll video. This is one of Eric’s 1st professional appearances. Eric Singer also played many years with Alice Cooper, also with Black Sabbath, Queen’s Brian May, Lita Ford, Badlands, Gary Moore, Avantasia, ESP (Eric Singer Project,) and appearances with many more artists. Then in 1989 he did Paul Stanley’s solo tour and became a KISS family member since. He later recorded KISS Revenge in 1991 and joined the band. Eric also sings lead vocals with KISS on “All For The Love Of Rock & Roll” from their 2012 Monster album, on “All For The Glory” from their 2009 Sonic Boom album, plus “Black Diamond” from the 2008 Japan re-recordings album. Enjoy this unique gem from Eric’s early career.

Steve Sils Photography

Ethan Sacks | New York Daily News

Back before they could afford to party all day, they were already rock ’n’ rolling all night.

Forty years ago this month, Kiss bassist Gene Simmons, guitarists Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss dabbed on some black and white facepaint bought in a Manhattan hobby store and forever left their mark on music history.

“We were just four kids off the streets of New York that dreamed big,” Simmons, who was born Chaim Witz, told the Daily News this week.

There’s no historical plaque in front of the six-story, cast-iron building at 10 E. 23rd St., where Kiss first formed and practiced their three-chord riffs in a dingy fourth floor loft with yolk-encrusted egg crates nailed to the walls to muffle the noise.

COURTESY OF KISS

First promo in their makeup in 1973.

But maybe there should be one: Kiss has gone on to sell more than 100 million records and perform live in front of an estimated 22 million fans.

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Something Else!

As Kiss celebrates its 40th anniversary, Paul Stanley is set to release an autobiography — making him the last of the group’s original quartet to do so, following Peter Criss, Ace Frehley and Gene Simmons — whose 2001 book was memorably titled Kiss and Make-up.

“They talk about sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll,” Stanley says in the attached video. “Well, from the beginning, I said: ‘You can keep the drugs, just give me the sex and the rock ‘n’ roll’ — so I remember quite a bit. I was really reluctant to do an autobiography. George Orwell said that the autobiography is the most outrageous form of fiction. When you write about yourself, you tend to be at the epicenter of everything. But I’m trying to be realistic.”

Kiss, which now includes Stanley, Simmons, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, just completed a well-received tour of Australia. Next up, beginning in June, are a series of European stops — beginning in Sweden and continuing into Germany, Italy and elsewhere.

In many ways, Stanley says, he can’t believe Kiss has made it this far — having sold more than 40 million albums and revolutionized band marketing since its humble beginnings back in 1973.

“There was no precedent for this back then,” Stanley says. “No band had ever lasted that long, so I was hoping for five years. At this point, I get to grow old in front of everybody. But I’m enjoying every minute of it, every year. It’s really something spectacular. I couldn’t be more grateful.”

Hart Baur | Miami Herald

Paul Stanley doesn’t do anything half speed. The KISS frontman is now getting into the restaurant biz. He and bandmate Gene Simmons will co-host this weekend’s opening of Rock & Brews in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. There are plans for 50-plus locations in North America, possibly Miami.

So taking on the restaurant business now?

Absolutely, man. Obviously for me to get involved in something worthwhile is important. I’m not out there selling liquid, soap or detergents. The idea when I got involved was that I was never going to be in the back seat. I have a pizza oven at home, I grow my own produce, so I know a lot about what we are doing.

Is KISS ever going to show up and play?

There is no live music. You can see the lyrics on the screens so you can pick up the words you’ve never heard before [laughs].

Want to talk a little bit about the latest ‘Monster’ album?

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Amy Galante | Examiner

In a press release issued today, IDW Publishing revealed a sneak peek of their all-ages comic book ‘KISS Kids.’ This fall, young and old alike will get to experience the world of Starchild, Li’l Demon, Spacey, and Catkid.

‘KISS’ series writers Chris Ryall and Tom Waltz will be penning the series with art byJose Holder (‘Mars Attacks,’ ‘The Real Ghostbusters’).

“KISS is used to rocking and rolling all night and partying every day, but back when they were little ’uns, those things only happened around nap time,” said Ryall, also IDW’s Chief Creative Officer/Editor-in-Chief. “This series will appeal to kids and Kiss fans of all ages, as we see the school-age band engage robots, evil teachers, other students, and much more, all filtered through the KISS lens. Beth, the school’s Doctor Love, the snooty Torpedo Girls, the bratty “Wicked” Lester, nefarious Principal Elder… they’re all here for this accessible, funny, and appealing new series.”

“Rock and Roll All Nite … and Potty Every Day,” added the L’il Demon himself, Kiss founding member, Gene Simmons.

If you can’t wait until the fall, ‘KISS Kids’ one-page strips will be featured on the back cover of the ‘KISS Solo’ series. The first of the ‘KISS Solo’ series, ‘KISS Solo #1: The Demon,’ will be in comic book shops on April 10.

In other IDW news, the award-winning publisher will be at booth 709 at WonderCon, March 29 – March 31. The sister convention of the massive San Diego Comic-Con is being held for a second time at the Anaheim Convention Center. IDW will be taking part in three Continue reading →

COTN

KISSmuseum.com

We have purchased several large KISS poster collections of UNBELIEVABLE gems from the ’70s, up to the present! Most are singles so make sure you check them out before they are all gone. Each has been painstakingly photographed and graded. You will not believe the amazing items we have!

Click HERE for the KISS Poster Sale

KISS by Monster Mini Golf

Saturday, March 23 is the first year anniversary of the KISS Monster Mini Golf course in Las Vegas Nevada. Guests include Eric Singer, Ken Kelly and Bob Kulick plus more! Click the link below for a complete list of all the events happening all day long!

Click HERE for info on the KISS Mini Golf Anniversary party!

Ken Kelly on opening day last year